"Sort of pushed us out of it," added Flemming. "Now-you've-finished-I've-no-further-use-for-you kind of thing."
"He certainly was brusque," said Roche. "I suppose it's business-like. He settled our account, so that's one thing. Wonder what he was driving at about the salvage stunt, sir?"
Mr. Armitage declined to commit himself.
"At any rate," he remarked, "we've had a top-hole time, and, I hope, gained experience. More than that, we've shown that we can be useful. We haven't attempted the impossible; we've merely tackled a couple of straightforward jobs and carried them out. I'm proud of you."
On the following morning the Sea Scouts reassembled at their hut. Their task was not yet completed. They had to make the Olivette secure in her new berth, and this they meant to do before Mr. Murgatroyd left for town.
It was a beautiful day. Not a cloud obscured the sky. A light breeze from the sou'-west tempered the heat, while a steadily-rising glass betokened a spell of fine weather.
Upon arriving at Keyhaven they found their heavy boat awaiting them. Mr. Murgatroyd was on board the Olivette, which was anchored half a mile down the creek.
"I've telephoned through to Lymington to see if there are any moorings for sale. I find there is a good pair at a reasonable price, so if you've no objection we'll take the Olivette round and pick them up."
"Delighted," agreed Mr. Murgatroyd, and almost at once he and the Scoutmaster entered into an argument as to who should pay for the anchor and chains.
"You've lent us the Olivette," protested Mr. Armitage, "and it's only right that we should buy the moorings."